My name is Courtney, and I am a dental hygiene student who participated in the SPC study abroad mission trip to Antigua. This mission trip was truly life-changing and exceeded all my expectations. I had the opportunity to serve alongside nine classmates, an instructor, and a dentist. The Antigua mission trip allowed me to strengthen my clinical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of global health care.

As a dental hygiene student, I was able to provide care to individuals with very limited access to dental services. This experience reinforced the importance of preventive care, patient education, and compassion. Interacting with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds significantly improved my communication, patient interaction skills and strengthened my passion for the dental hygiene field and promoting oral health worldwide.

In addition to the clinical experience, we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the culture of Antigua. The island is incredibly beautiful, and the people take great pride of their home and community. During our stay, we worked in a large clinic that was accessible to all residents in need of dental care. The gratitude shown by the people of Antigua was overwhelming, as many would stop to thank us even outside of the clinic. We also had the opportunity to visit local schools to teach children about oral hygiene and provide oral health supplies. The children were respectful and grateful for our presence. This trip reminded me of why I chose dental hygiene and reaffirmed my passion for serving others. I gave everything I had and received so much more in return.

– Courtney, SPC Antigua Dental Study Abroad Program, January 2026